Mastitis is an infection-related inflammation of the breast tissue. Breast soreness, swelling, warmth, and redness are all symptoms of inflammation. You may also get a fever and chills.
Breast-feeding mothers are the most usually affected by mastitis (lactation mastitis). Mastitis can, however, develop in both breast-feeding women and males.
Lactation mastitis can exhaust you, making it harder to care for your infant. Mastitis might cause a woman to wean her kid earlier than she intended. However, continuing to breast-feed while taking an antibiotic for mastitis is beneficial for both you and your baby.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MASTITIS?
Mastitis symptoms might occur unexpectedly. They might include:
- Tenderness or warmth to the touch in the breast
- Swelling of the breasts
- Skin redness, usually in a wedge pattern
- Feeling generally unwell
- Breast tissue thickening or a breast lump
- Continuous pain or a burning feeling when breast-feeding
- Fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius) or higher
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF MASTITIS?
Mastitis is caused mostly by retained milk in the breast. Other factors include:
- A milk duct that is blocked: One of your milk ducts might get plugged if a breast does not entirely drain at feedings. The obstruction causes milk to back up, resulting in breast infection.
- Entry of bacteria into your breast: Bacteria from the surface of your skin and your baby's mouth can enter the milk ducts through a fissure in the skin of your nipple or a milk duct hole. Stagnant milk in an unemptied breast provides a fertile habitat for the germs.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR MASTITIS?
Mastitis risk factors include:
- Previous mastitis episode during breast-feeding
- Inadequate nursing method
- Excessive tiredness or stress
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Nipples that are sore or cracked, although mastitis can occur without skin breaks
- Wearing a tight-fitting bra or placing pressure on your breast when wearing a seat belt or carrying a heavy bag may impede milk flow.
- Smoking
Is mastitis linked to an increased risk of breast cancer?
Mastitis does not enhance your chances of developing breast cancer. Mastitis symptoms, on the other hand, are comparable to those of inflammatory breast cancer. Breast skin alterations are caused by this uncommon kind of breast cancer. Dimples and an orange-peel rash on the breast are possible symptoms. One or both breasts may become red and swollen, similar to mastitis. Breast lumps are uncommon in inflammatory breast cancer.
Inflammatory breast cancer is a deadly disease. It need immediate diagnosis and treatment. If you detect any changes in your breasts, contact your healthcare practitioner straight once.
Is it safe to continue nursing when suffering from mastitis?
Yes, you should continue to breastfeed your child. Breast milk cannot transmit a breast illness to your kid. Breast milk, in fact, has antibacterial qualities that aid newborns in fighting illnesses. Antibiotics prescribed by your doctor for mastitis are also safe for your baby.
When you have mastitis, it might be difficult to breastfeed. Breastfeeding, on the other hand, helps circulate milk through the milk ducts, which opens them up. Start your infant feeding on the afflicted breast first. This prevents milk from remaining in the milk ducts and allowing germs to proliferate.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF MASTITIS?
Mastitis that is not appropriately treated or is caused by a blocked duct might result in a collection of pus (abscess) in your breast. Surgical draining of an abscess is frequently required.
Talk to your doctor as soon as you see signs or symptoms of mastitis to avoid this problem.
HOW IS MASTITIS DIAGNOSED?
Your doctor will perform a comprehensive physical examination and will question you about your signs and symptoms. A culture of your breast milk may assist your doctor in determining the right antibiotic for you, particularly if you have a serious infection.
Inflammatory breast cancer, a rare kind of breast cancer, can also produce redness and swelling that may be mistaken for mastitis at first. Your doctor may advise you to get a mammogram, an ultrasound, or both. If your symptoms linger after a course of antibiotics, you may require a biopsy to ensure that you do not have breast cancer.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR MASTITIS?
Mastitis treatment may include:
- Antibiotics: A 10-day prescription of antibiotics is normally required if you have an infection. To reduce your chances of recurrence, make sure you take all of your prescription. If your mastitis does not improve after taking antibiotics, consult your doctor.
- Pain relievers: Your doctor may advise you to take an over-the-counter pain treatment such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, for example) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others).
If you have mastitis, you can still breastfeed. Breast-feeding really aids in the healing of the illness. Weaning your infant too quickly is likely to aggravate your signs and symptoms.
For assistance and continuous support, your doctor may recommend you to a lactation consultant. The following are some suggestions for modifying your breast-feeding techniques:
- Avoiding sustained overfilling of your breast with milk before breast-feeding.
- Attempting to ensure that your child latches on properly, which can be challenging when your breast is engorged. Before breast-feeding, try expressing a little amount of milk by hand.
- Massaging the breast while breastfeeding or pumping, working your way from the affected region all the way down to the nipple.
- Ensuring that your breast drains fully during breast-feeding. If you are having difficulty emptying a section of your breast, apply warm, moist heat to the breast before breast-feeding or pumping milk.
- Breastfeeding your child on the affected side first, when he or she is hungrier and sucks more forcefully.
- Changing up your breastfeeding positions.
HOME REMEDIES FOR MASTITIS
To alleviate your discomfort:
- Before breast-feeding, avoid prolonged overfilling of your breasts with milk.
- After breast-feeding, use cold compresses or ice packs to your breast.
- Wear a bra that is supportive.
- Rest as much as you can.
HOW CAN MASTITIS BE PREVENTED?
Consider visiting with a lactation consultant to get your breast-feeding relationship with your child off to the best possible start — and to avoid issues like mastitis. A lactation consultant may provide you guidance and ideas on optimal breast-feeding procedures.
Follow these strategies to reduce your chances of having mastitis:
- While breast-feeding, completely drain the milk from your breasts.
- Allow your infant to finish emptying one breast before switching to the other during feeding.
- Change your breast-feeding posture from one feeding to the next.
- Ensure that your infant correctly latches on during feedings.
- If you smoke, speak with your doctor about quitting.
CONCLUSION
Any form of breast alteration should prompt you to see your doctor. While mastitis is not malignant, your symptoms should be evaluated by your doctor. Breast infection symptoms are quite seldom a marker of inflammatory breast cancer. Breastfeeding mothers who develop mastitis may benefit from a lactation consultation. This professional can guarantee appropriate latching and nursing technique to prevent mastitis from recurring.